Nursery and primary cycles

Our Nursery School makes use of a building designed to accommodate up to 400 students starting from the age of four. Children begin their first year of Nursery School in the autumn of the calendar year in which they turn four. Because the Nursery School program lasts for two years, the classes will have mixed ages, including younger students in their first year and older students in their second year.

Our Primary School is situated in a separate building designed to accommodate up to 1050 students starting from the age of six. Students begin their first year of Primary School in the autumn of the calendar year in which they turn six. There are five years of Primary School, grades P1 to P5, within each of our eight language sections.

There is a single Adjunct Director for both the Nursery and Primary Schools together. 

• To prepare the children for a happy, healthy, responsible, and successful life
• To develop their personalities and their abilities
• To develop their potential for learning
• To cultivate respect for others and for the environment
• To teach the children how to appreciate and respect their own cultures, identities, and values as well as those of others
• To promote a European spirit.

What students learn in their “Early Education” years provides a fundamental base for learning and development that continues all through life. This key component of lifelong education guides students as they develop into independent and ethically responsible members of our community. “Early Education” aims to provide optimal conditions to support the whole child including physical, psychological, social, cognitive, and emotional development.

For these first early years, teaching follows a holistic method where subjects and disciplines are not differentiated. As in our daily lives, an active approach that is experimental and experiential is at the center of the learning process.

Self-esteem is a healthy and powerful motivator in children. Positive learning experiences and a wide range of interactions with different people help to foster this confidence. The experiential world of the child needs to be enriched with stimulating opportunities allowing them to explore and develop new interests.

The Nursery and Primary Schools make use of buildings and spaces purposely designed to create a learning environment appropriate for students 4-11 years old:

• 25 classrooms for the Nursery School and 72 classrooms for the Primary School all equipped with interactive white boards to allow a greater variety of teaching methods.
• 4 computer rooms specifically adapted for children and equipped with the necessary resources and technology.
• 2 libraries that can also host literacy and reading-related events or exhibits as well as cater to students preparing for school projects.
• 3 music rooms with a large variety of instruments for students to use where they can explore their natural curiosity for music and singing.
• 4 art rooms that provide space and materials for artistic discovery.
• 2 pedagogical kitchens used for lessons that stimulate the student’s tastes as well as their other senses. By cooking, chopping, mixing, and baking, students develop coordination, confidence, and independence. As they learn about different foods, nutrition, and health, they also challenge themselves to try the unfamiliar. Students of all ages are always enthusiastic about their cooking projects.
• 1 sensory room that includes:
• a quiet and cozy area for students who need a calming place where they can interact peacefully or meditate alone. A variety of visual images complement the relaxing experience.
• a sensory area with interactive boards that provide tactile and auditory stimulation.
• an active area where students can climb, slide, crawl, hide, etc.…
• playgrounds that include sheltered areas for rainy days and open spaces with equipment and games appropriate to each age group.
• a pedagogical garden for the Nursery School students to discover nature under the guidance of their teachers.
• athletic spaces, both indoors and out, for dedicated sports activities, including an indoor swimming pool area with two pools. 

Our campus is fortunate to be able to accommodate students at all stages of their education from daycare through the baccalaureate. We follow the students as they progress step by step through their school experience, and we create added support during these transition periods. We respect that each student adjusts at their own pace, but still encourage them to discover the new world they are entering.

Children at the crèche (daycare center) and garderie (older childcare program) are under the responsibility of the European Institutions: European Parliament for the crèche, European Commission for the garderie. These programs are independent from the European School Luxembourg II and access is determined by specific regulations.

From Childcare to Nursery School

To help the children in the garderie feel ready for Nursery School, they are taken on visits to the Nursery School in June before they eventually begin school in the autumn. They can start to recognize the building and classrooms along with some of the teachers and can feel more comfortable in their new environment.

From Nursery to Primary School

The transition from Nursery to Primary school involves a number of introductory visits and activities designed for the older Nursery School students. Towards the end of the school year, the teachers of the graduating Nursery School classes and the Primary School teachers cooperate to help ease the transition. They arrange : 

• Visits to the Primary School building and its classrooms
• Teacher exchanges and introductory visits
• Joint activities to be shared by the Nursery and Primary classes